The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

256 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
who said, "When I had killed Marhab, I brought his head to the Messenger of
God (SAAS)."
Miisa b. Wqba narrated from al-Zuhri that the man who killed Marhab was
Muhammad b. Maslama. Muhammad b. Ishaq stated the same, as follows, "'Abd
Allah b. Sahl, of Bana Haritha, quoted from Jahir b. 'Abd Allah as having said,
'Marhab the Jew came forth from the fortress at Khaybar reciting the following,
"Khaybu knows that I am Marbb, fully armed, a hero,
well tested,
Sometimes I thrust and at others I strike, lie lions
charging in fury.
Those I defend are indeed under protection and shall
not be approached."
'"Ka'b b. Mdik responded to h i as follows,
"Khaybar knows that I am Ka'b, the problem-solver,
brave and determined.
When warfare arises and the battle rages, I wield a
sharp sword that pierces like lightning.
He will tread you underfoot until the brave are
bumbled, by the hand of a faultless warrior."'
"As Marhab recited (other) verses, he asked, 'Will anyone engage me in combat?'
The Messenger of God (SAAS) asked, 'Who will do this?' Muhammad h.
Maslama responded, 'I will, Messenger of God! It is up to me to seek revenge,
for they killed my brother yesterday.' He told him, 'Go at him! 0 God, give him
aid against him!'
"When they drew near one another a brittle old tree was there between them
and each of them began using it to avoid his adversary. Whenever one of them
took refuge behind it, the other would cut the wood with his sword to get at the
other. Eventually the tree stood branchless, like a man. M arw then attacked
Muhammad h. Maslama and struck him.He met the blow with his shield and
Marhab's sword cut into it and remained wedged there. He then withdrew it,
and Muhammad seuck at him until he had killed him."
Im-am Abad related this from Ya'qtib b. Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn
Ishzq, in similar terms. Ibn Ishaq went on to state, "Some people say that
Muhammad b. Maslama recited the following verses as he smck him,
'Khaybar knows that I am a warrior; sweet if I wish, or
a deadly poison!"'
Al-Wzqidi related it thus from Jabir and other early authorities, to the effect
that it was Muhammad b. Maslama who killed Marhab.
A1-Wzqidi went on to recount that Muhammad b. Maslama cut off both of
Marhab's legs and that Marhab asked him, "Finish me off?" He replied, "Taste
death as did Mdpiid h. Maslama!" Then 'Ali passed by and cut off his head.